Aisha Kasim, 30, Inventor and Hair Extensions Specialist
Nigerian born Aisha has lived in the UK since she was a teen. She owns a hair accessories business and says VB is her business inspiration.
Top Quote: ‘Pressure Makes Diamonds. It’s something I respond well to, I think it’s go hard or go home.’
April Jackson, 26, Boutique Owner
Former Miss Jamaica April is a Londoner who has lived in Jamaica, France and New York. She had founded her own children’s charity AND an event management company. Her inspiration is Skinny Girls Cocktails founder Bethenny Frankel.
Top Quote: ‘I’m Jamaican. We come first, we win on the track and we will win in the boardroom.’
Brett Butler Smythe, 28, Builder
Plymouth based builder Brett is an ex Navy boy who started his own property business from scratch. He claims to be hard working, committed and trustworthy, with ZERO weaknesses. Yep.
Top Quote: ‘I pride myself on not having any negative or bad traits about myself, they’re all good, they’re all positive.’
Charleine Wain, 31, Beauty Salon Owner
Another West Country lass - Charleine also served in the Navy before leaving to start her own beauty salon and online boutique. She raises money for charity and cites Toni & Guy as he robustness inspirations.
Top Quote: ‘I would describe myself as very determined, ambitious, and i always want to show that women can success in business.’
Dan Callaghan, 23, Fragrance Business Owner
Manchester boy Dan has worked at the European Parliament in Belgium, and owns a fragrance company. he idolises Jeff Bezos of Amazon for the way he has redefined online shopping.
Top Quote: ‘I’m just a generally all round quite entertaining person, I think. A lot of people laugh at me.’
David Stevenson, 25, Sports Marketing Company Owner
Nottingham based David specialises in getting crowds to sporting events. He idolises Elon Musk, and thinks he and Lord Sugar would make a great team.
Top Quote: ‘Me and Lord Sugar will work well together because you’ve got age and beauty and those two go hand in hand all the time. Sugar’s got the age and I certainly am beautiful.’
Elle Stevenson, 21, Construction
Elle, who lives in London, describes herself as a ‘geezer bird’ and is the youngest of the group. Her biggest business achievement to date was Operations Director at a construction company when she was just 20, and admires Taylor Swift.
Top Quote: ‘I hate anything mediocre – I can’t be middle. I hate being the person that comes second… I’ve never been the person that comes second. I’d rather be the one who fell over at the start of the race and never make it to the finish line.’
Gary Poulton, 34, Programme Manager
Gary spent seven years at a leading supermarket chain, developing new store sites. He’s from Nottingham and says people should not take him at face value.
Top Quote: ‘I look like the nice, easy going, laid back Brummie but once I start doing my business, people know I’m the real deal.’
Jenny Garbis, 23, Business Management Student
She’s only recently graduated, but Jenny is a high achiever who excels academically. She’s an adrenaline junky who loves Emma Watson.
Top Quote: ‘’You will see my name in lights – Jenny Garbis, don’t forget that. That’s going to be a global name. That’s going to be an entrepreneur everyone looks up to.’’
Joseph Valente, 25, Plumbing Business Owner
Peterborough based Joseph feels it’s his destiny to be Lord Sugar’s business partner. He currently runs his own plumbing company and says that Hugh Hefner is one of his role models.
Top Quote: ‘I am the definition of success, I’m a godfather of business and I’m here to make Lord Sugar a lot of money.’’
Mergim Butaja, 23, Sales Account Manager
Kosovan born Meergim fled the country during the war when he was seven years old. He now supports his family through his work, and names Chris Dawson as his business inspiration because of their similar backgrounds.
Top Quote: ‘Why am I a worthy business partner for Lord Sugar? I’d be a challenge to him. Everyone he’s met probably sucks up to him. I won’t, I’ll tell him like it is.’’
Natalie Dean, 25, Account Manager in Telecoms
Tomboy Natalie has a passion for football and admires Severn Trent CEO Liv Garfield. She’s from Coventry.
Top Quote: ‘If I set my mind to something I won’t quit until I have done it.’
Richard Woods, 31, Digital Marketing Agency Director
Self assured Richard is inspired by his namesake - Richard Branson - and has successfully built up four profit making companies over his career.
Top Quote: ‘I’m a Swiss army knife of bouncy skills, business skills, enthusiasm, I’ve got everything highly tuned and highly chiselled.’
Ruth Whiteley, 47, Sales Training Consultancy Owner
Former radio DJ Ruth is a positive, driven individual who says her sales achievements are what she’s most proud of. She hails from Harrogate.
Top Quote: ‘Lord Sugar might think I’m a bit gushing, he might find me over-zealous, but I think he’ll think I’m great.’’
Sam Curry, 23, Private Tutor
Arts enthusiast Sam is also inspired by Richard Branson - due to his statement that businesspeople don’t have to be ruthless to get ahead. He lives in London.
Top Quote: ‘I’m an interesting mix between happy go lucky and adventurous and then quite logical and sensible. It’s a strange combination.’
Scott Saunders, 27, Sales Account Manager
Hertfordshire’s Scott admires the Rich Dad Company founder, and is obsessed with making his first million.
Top Quote: ‘People do say to me they’ve never met anyone like me.’’
Selina Waterman-Smith, 31, Events Agency Owner
Dubai based Selina studied in the UK before heading over the UAE. Describing herself as feisty, strong and kind, she is proud of having set up a company abroad.
Top Quote: ‘I am strong minded… I do like to be the leader’
Vana Koutsomitis, 27, Social Media Entrepreneur
Barcelona based Vana is multi-lingual (she speaks FIVE languages), grew up in New York and has also lives in France, Spain and China. She thinks Ashton Kutcher is a business inspiration.
Top Quote: ‘I believe this is a marathon and if you have stamina and if you do things with integrity, morals and direction, you can get where you want to go.’